FAQs: New Content Alerts
What are New Content Alerts?
When you search the HSDL, you can save your search criteria as a New Content Alert. Every Friday, we check our collection and automatically email you a list of any new resources we’ve added that match your saved criteria. It is a great way to make sure you don’t miss any new items of interest.
How do I sign up/subscribe?
You must have been granted individual access to the full HSDL collection before you can set New Content Alerts. If you have access, make sure you are logged in. Then simply search the HSDL as you normally would. When you have set search parameters you like, click the “set a new content alert” link at the top of the result list. Then click the “ok” button.
What information gets included in the email?
We send you the title of the new document, a short summary, and links to both our abstract and the full document. We do not send the actual documents as attachments; just a link to the item in the collection.
Will I get an email if nothing matches?
If we run your saved query and get no results, we will not send you an email. If your saved search is very specific, you will probably not get very many emails from us.
What are the time parameters?
We notify you of anything we have added to the collection a) in the last week, and b) published within the last six months. Different types of alerts get sent at different intervals.
How do I cancel/unsubscribe?
If you no longer wish to receive a particular alert result, you can simply click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Alternately, you can login to your CHDS account profile and manage your subscriptions at the bottom of the page.
How do I edit my saved search criteria?
You cannot edit. Simply save your new search criteria as a new alert and unsubscribe from the old one.
How do I change my email address?
You can edit your account settings and personal information on the Center for Homeland Defense and Security website at www.chds.us. The direct link to your account settings is https://www.chds.us/a/profile/.
The results I’m getting are too many or don’t seem particularly relevant. How can I improve that?
The HSDL does full text searches by default. So if you define your alert, for example, as anything that contains ‘intelligence,’ you may get too many results that really aren’t about intelligence. Here are three good options for improving your results:
– Use the advanced search to add more criteria;
– Consider limiting your search to the title and summary only, rather than the full text of the entire document; or
– Email hsdl@nps.edu to work with one of our librarians to craft a specific search.
I used to get Alerts but I don’t anymore. What changed and where are they?
The HSDL site was significantly redesigned in 2022. During that time, the New Content Alerts went on hiatus. Please set new alerts to continue your subscription.
FAQs: Subscription to Critical Releases
What is the Critical Releases subscription?
Every two weeks, the HSDL identifies a brief, targeted collection of recently released documents of particular interest or potential importance. We post the collection on the site and email the list to subscribers. When you are granted an individual account to access the HSDL, we automatically sign you up for this subscription.
How often is it sent?
Critical Releases are pushed out every two weeks on Wednesdays.
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe?
You are generally subscribed automatically when you are granted access to the full HSDL Collection. If you need to re-subscribe, you can login to your CHDS account profile and manage your subscriptions at the bottom of the page. If you no longer wish to receive, you can simply click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Alternately, you can login to your CHDS account profile to remove subscriptions.
How do I cancel/unsubscribe?
If you no longer wish to receive a particular alert result, you can simply click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Alternately, you can login to your CHDS account profile and manage your subscriptions at the bottom of the page.
How do I change my email address?
You can edit your account settings and personal information on the Center for Homeland Defense and Security website at www.chds.us. The direct link to your account settings is https://www.chds.us/a/profile/.
Can I still subscribe if I am not eligible for an Individual Account?
At this time, this subscription is limited to individuals who are eligible for access to the full HSDL Collection. Determine your eligibility.